The Guardian view on democracy in Israel: under assault from the top | Editorial
GuardianJan 11, 2023
On Saturday, tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets across Israel to oppose PM Benjamin Netanyahu's proposed judicial reforms.
Israeli media reported that at least 80K people took part in the anti-government protest at Tel Aviv's Habima Square, with protests occurring in Jerusalem and Haifa as well.
Netanyahu's far-right government's only agenda is to destroy Israel's democratic institutions, cripple judicial independence, foster corruption, and curtail freedom of speech and dissent. In a nutshell, the proposed reforms are a ploy to allow ultra-Orthodox lawmakers to abuse their authority and help Netanyahu — on trial for fraud, breach of trust, and bribery charges since 2019 — evade conviction.
Netanyahu's government is carrying out the people's will to strengthen democracy by restoring the balance between the judiciary, executive, and legislature. Contrary to the democracy doomsdayers' assertions, the proposed legal reforms would make Israel's judicial apparatus the most powerful in the world and ensure the country's radically democratic political culture remains healthy and vibrant.